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Quit with the Great American Smokeout

Article date:
November 18, 2013

By Stacy Simon

Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. Encourage someone you know to use the date, November 21 this year, to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting – even for 1 day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s report on smoking and health, remarkable progress has been made. Since 1964, smoking prevalence among US adults has been reduced by half. And yet, 43.8 million Americans – nearly 1 in every 5 adults – still smoked cigarettes in 2011. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes. Tobacco use remains the single-largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US.

Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits at any age. Quitting is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help. Getting help through counseling or medications can double or triple the chances of quitting successfully.

The American Cancer Society’s Guide to Quitting Smoking has many tools and tips to help smokers beat the urge to smoke and to help nonsmokers encourage loved ones to quit. If you’re a smartphone user, get the new Quit For Life mobile app from Alere Wellbeing, available for iPhone and Android.

Great American Smokeout on Social Media

The American Cancer Society is celebrating quitters and their supporters with a gallery of fun Smokeout characters designed for sharing on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. For example, the “weaner” is someone who quits by systematically or slowly reducing their dependency on cigarettes. The “cheerleader” is a super-supportive friend or family member who rallies around a smoker to help them quit.

Throughout the day of the Great American Smokeout, we will partner with Sharecare and Everyday Health to bring you live Twitter chats from health experts about tobacco, smoking, and quitting.

The Sharecare Twitter chat is Thursday, Nov. 21 from 11am to 4pm EST. American Cancer Society and Sharecare health experts will give you tips on how to quit for good.

The Everyday Health Twitter chat is from 1pm to 2pm EST. An American Cancer Society expert will share the latest research and answer your questions.

Please plan to join us this year and begin living a healthier, tobacco-free life.